“Leaving school grounds with permission, and more seriously, without a guardian. Vampire hunting—”

“Mr Aleksandrov, with all due respect, she was hardly vampire hunting,” Eli interrupted.

“Ruby, did you kill the vampire you wanted to in order to save a human?”

“My cousin,” I corrected. Human seemed a little impersonal.

“Did you or did you not kill the v—”

“Yes.”

Mr Aleksandrov rattled of a few more rules and laws I had broken. Eli protested every broken rule he thought didn't fit the situation, and every time someone provided some kind of ridiculous example.

“And lastly, your punishment…”

I gripped the edge of my seat and corrected my posture.

“Expel her,” snarled an old man three seats to the left of Mr Aleksandrov.

“No,” called the woman sitting on the right of Mr Aleksandrov; it was Lillian.

“She’s far behind any of our students,” rebutted the man.

“She has tremendous potential, we need her.”

They all nodded their heads, except the old man. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something they all knew that I didn’t.

“Killing angels must run in the family. Why are you defending her, Eli? Her mother is the reason your father is dead.”

I whipped my head to look at Eli. His face was fierce as he clenched his teeth.

“My father died in duty.”

“Yes, but Meredith Moore was associating with vampires… like this one.” He flicked his head towards me.

“It was for a good cause; Meredith was doing research.”

“And they betrayed her, calling in more vampires. She escaped and your father died. Funny that.”

“He did his job and protected her. Where are you going with this exactly, Gordon?”

“Just saying.” Gordon smiled wryly.

“Ruby,” Mr Aleksandrov began, ignoring the exchange of words between the two. “You broke many rules and laws, you endangered yourself, and you are responsible for the deaths of three guardian angels. You are lucky the higher power has no idea about this. Your punishment for your behaviour is expulsion.”

Crap.

Wherefore art thou?

My life at Sage Sanctum flashed before my eyes. This is it? It's really over? I felt nauseous and a headache began to pound in my head. I put my hand over my face and exhaled deeply. I tried to focus my breathing; I had to keep it together in order to prevent the walls of my problems from caving in on me.

“Sir, I think we should discuss this more thoroughly,” Lillian demanded.

Arguments erupted throughout the hall; Eli was at the table expressing his outrage, as well.

“Enough!” Ivan bellowed. “Shall we vote?”

They all agreed. There were six people that sat along the table. I only knew two, Lillian and Mr Aleksandrov. Odds were not in my favor, and even less now that Mr Aleksandrov was the one to decide to expel me.

“Let’s begin. Gordon?”

“Expel.”

“Lillian?”

“Stay,” she stated fiercely.

Mr Aleksandrov rattled off a few more names. So far three wanted me expelled and two wanted me to stay.

“Eli?” Mr Aleksandrov asked.

“Stay.”

That’s three for three.

Mr Aleksandrov glanced at the paper. “It seems we have a tie. I guess I will be the tie breaker.”

Gordon's face lit up and mine darkened. No, I wasn't going to sit there and let someone else decide my fate, and if I was going to be kicked out, I at least needed to fight for what I wanted. At least then I could say I tried.

Mr Aleksandrov opened his mouth to talk.

“May I say a few words?” I asked.

“…Go ahead.”

I got up from my chair and stepped a little closer to the table.

“I know, since the beginning, I’ve been a handful. I was a mess and I had so many inner demons, but I just wanted to say that being here has helped me fight off those demons. From the start, I felt welcome. I know how much I’ve thrown it back in your faces, especially you, Mr Aleksandrov, but I have made so many friends, Mila, especially, and I'm not ready to throw that away… she’s my best friend.”

I played the 'Mila' card. I know it was sneaky, but I knew Aleksandrov loved his niece more than anything, and if her happiness was at stake, he wouldn’t risk it.

“You can stay,” he uttered.

My knees almost gave way from underneath me. Joy flooded my chest and I smiled at Eli. His expression was proud and happy. The board began to dissemble and Eli, Lillian, and I began to exit out the door.

“Oh, Ruby,” called Mr Aleksandrov.

I turned around.

“There will be a letter delivered to your dorm today; it will have a detailed list of all your detention details.”

I smiled and continued walking.

Sure, receiving detention was a bummer, but after the last two weeks, I was just glad that it was (finally) the only worry I had in the world.

“Well done,” Lillian celebrated, pulling me into an embrace. “See you in class.” She walked off gracefully, as if she was walking on air.

“Not a bad speech. Good idea incorporating Mila into it, he didn't think about her until you mentioned her.”

“Yeah, well, I had to give it a try.”

He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

My inner being floated at his words. I felt silly as a shy grin crossed my face.

"What?” he laughed.

“Nothing, you have said some pretty nice things to me, but that’s my favorite.”

“Why is that your favorite?”

“Because no one has ever said that to me before…”

His smile widened and mine mirrored his. “Well I’m glad that I was your first…”

I suppressed a laugh.

“Not like that — I didn't mean — I meant—” he paused and took a deep breath. “Goodbye, Ruby.”

I headed in the opposite direction, towards my dorm. I was in good spirits. If karma had any say, it wasn't going to last long. Sure enough, Raina and her marauders stopped me in my tracks.

“Raina, now isn't a good time,” I sighed.

“Now is a perfect time.”

I leaned onto my right leg and put my hands on my hips. “What do you want?”

“The school may think you’re worth something, but I don’t. You might be 'free to go' for now, but I won’t stop until you’re gone.”

I stepped forward so our faces were centimeters apart. A sweat bead rolled down her face, she was trying hard to hide her nervousness.

“I don't know where you got the impression that I'm scared of you, but know this; even though I'm treading on a really thin line with the school, I will not hesitate to punch you in the face again. Now get out of my way.”

She didn't move, she wanted to, I could tell by her eyes. She was panicking.

“Why couldn't it be raining?” It was Hunter again, of course it was. He was the only person I had met that had a knack for showing up randomly, especially at times that I didn't care to hear his smartass comments or condescending humor. Still, Raina and I hadn't budged.

“Kiss her,” he whispered into my ear.

I shrugged him away and pushed passed Raina, making sure I nudged her with my shoulder. Hunter caught up with me. I could feel Raina and her group burning holes in the back of my head with their eyes.

“Not even back a day and you’re already sleeping around,” Raina sneered.

I didn't acknowledge her; she had a tendency for never saying anything directly to my face and the last time she said anything within arm’s reach, it ended in her getting punched in the eye.

“What do you want now?”

“I thought I’d wait and see how your hearing went. You aren't being escorted by guardian angels against your will, so I am assuming it went well?”

I shot him an 'obviously' look.

He pulled me by the arm to a complete stop and turned me to face him. “It couldn't have gone as bad as the conversation you just had with Eli, that… that was awkward.”

“Are you following me?”

“C'mon now, I merely admire from afar.” He chuckled.

Already it was becoming harder and harder to stay in high spirits. “Just stay away from me.”

“Really?” he asked, keeping a firm grip on my wrist. His eyes were alight with amusement. “Is that what you want?” He took a few steps closer and I backed away one. His scent was alluring and the heat that radiated from his body made it near impossible to take another step back or even speak.

“Y- yes, I do.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. I pulled away and shoved him backwards.

“You can’t stay hung up on a guy that you can never be with. When you realize that, I’ll be waiting.”

I stood momentarily trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. The kiss was everything, and at the same time, it was nothing. Hunter could never compare to Eli, never.

I strolled all the way back to my dorm room in a daze. When I entered my room I was relieved, mostly because I wanted to sleep and a perfectly made bed was in front of me, but also because it wasn't ransacked.

Upon my pillow was a note. The Hunter versus Eli filled thoughts were sucked away and the familiar feeling of panic descended upon me. I tried to hide my feelings, but was having difficulty trying. Tay was dead, wasn't he? I knew Hank was. I killed him myself. Slowly, I made my way over to the letter. Relief flooded me as I saw love hearts and cursive writing. It was from Mila. I unfolded it.

Ruby!

If you’re reading this then they let you stay!

Yay!

I’m glad you’re safe and alive.

We have sooo much to catch up on!

P.S. They trashed your room so I cleaned it for you.

Enjoy!

Mila xo

I smiled to myself. Mila was great, the one other person besides Eli that had been there for me from the start. In the beginning things were rough, but she always came through. I lay down on the bed; it was so soft and inviting. Much better than a hospital bed. I was ready to doze off when two knocks rattled my door. I reluctantly rose to my feet and strode over to the door, opening it.

“Mrs Ploit?” I said, astonished.

“These are your detention details,” she muttered, her lips pursed into a thin firm line. She turned abruptly on her heel and stomped off down the hallway. Clearly, she was angry at me; I guess she got in trouble, after all, I did sneak by her.

“Mrs Ploit?” I called after her.

With a dramatic sigh, she turned to face me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to get into trouble.”

“Well, I did. You should have let the angels handle it; you didn’t have to be a hero, leaving me to deal with the wrath of your outraged guardian.”

I thought about the hospital, when Eli was mad at me. It was scary seeing his eyes turn dark, filled with pain and anger. I could imagine he wasn’t as lenient with Mrs Ploit.

“Again, I’m sorry.”

It didn’t matter if I apologized a thousand times, she was never going to forgive me for making her look like a fool in front of her employers.

“Don’t let it happen again.” She turned and left.

I closed my door and ran over my detention list, and what a list it was. I had to help Lillian in the printing room every morning, help Gordon with football on Thursday afternoons, which was useless. I didn’t know a thing about football. And every other afternoon I had to help Eli in the auditorium.

I suppose it wasn't too bad, compared to what I had done to deserve it. Either way, I was thankful and counted my blessings.

I had made up my mind to skip dinner that afternoon, but first I had to clear it with Mrs Ploit, who then had to clear it with Eli, who had to clear it with Aleksandrov. When I got the green light, I showered, got into my pyjamas, and went to bed. Even though I had been resting and sleeping almost all day in hospital, I was still tired and my body was still recovering.

The warm air that circled around my room filled my lungs as I opened my eyes. It was Thursday, a normal school day, and unfortunately one that I had to attend, but not before I helped Lillian in the printing room. Class didn't start for another hour and I had twenty minutes to meet Lillian.

I chose to wear my hair down, it made me feel fresh and innocent; a fresh new start to life. My attire was a knee-length cream skirt with a pink singlet. It wasn't fit for cleaning auditoriums or helping with a football team, but it was fine for wearing in class and printing rooms.

“Ruby!” a voice echoed through the wood of my door.

I ran to the door and opened it.

“Mila!”

She pulled me into a candy smelling embrace. “I am so glad you’re okay!” she said.

“Yeah, I am too.”

“I overheard Uncle talking about it. You are so lucky.”

I didn't comment. I wasn't ready to really delve into the details of what happened and emotionally, I couldn't.

“I really can't stay and chat, I have to run over to the printing room and help Lillian.” I entered the bathroom to check my appearance.

“As part of your detention?”

“Yeah, the list is on my bedside table.”

I heard the paper rustle as she unfolded it.

“I guess it’s not that bad. At least you don't have to worry about cleaning the auditorium.”

I peered out from the bathroom. That was my favorite part about detention.